Nature Reserve Guide
Düsseldorf District is home to more than 30 nature reserves, providing protected green spaces within one of Germany's most densely populated regions. These areas feature diverse landscapes, from the expansive Rhine floodplains with their alluvial forests and wet meadows to the wooded river valleys and heathlands found further inland. The terrain offers a variety of environments for outdoor recreation, including an extensive network of trails for hiking, cycling, and running.
This list of nature…
5051
Routes
4.5
(39148)
Average rating
207K+
Explored with komoot
Last updated: April 23, 2026

4.5
(3718)
18,614
hikers
Urdenbacher Kämpe is Düsseldorf's largest undiked Rhine floodplain, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging through dynamic water landscapes and riparian woodlands.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(2480)
13,102
hikers
Zonser Grind is a nature reserve in Dormagen, Germany, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging through its dynamic floodplain landscape.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(2341)
12,939
hikers
Himmelgeister Rheinbogen is a diverse nature reserve near Düsseldorf, offering numerous routes for hiking, jogging, and cycling through meadows and along the Rhine.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(2161)
11,041
hikers
Rheinaue Zwischen Büderich Und Perrich is a nature reserve offering diverse routes for cycling, hiking, and mountain biking across its Rhine floodplains and riparian forests.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.4
(1435)
10,215
hikers
Nsg Dueffel - Kellener Altrhein Und Flussmarschen is an EU bird sanctuary with meadowlands and the Kellener Altrhein, offering routes for cycling and hiking.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(2610)
9,955
hikers
Üfter-, Rüster- Und Emmelkämper Mark is a 1,000-hectare nature reserve with diverse forests, heathlands, and ancient dunes, offering extensive routes for hiking and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(1656)
8,945
hikers
Rheinaue Zons-Rheinfeld Und Altrheinschlinge Zons is a nature reserve with diverse Rhine floodplain terrain, ideal for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking routes.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(1241)
8,245
hikers
Salmorth is a nature reserve in Germany's Kleve district, offering diverse routes for cycling and hiking across grasslands, dikes, and the Rhine floodplains.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(1886)
7,818
hikers
Grenzdyck is a nature reserve in Germany with wet meadows and woodlands, offering diverse routes for hiking, mountain biking, and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(1268)
7,547
hikers
Bislicher Insel is a Lower Rhine nature reserve with diverse wetlands and flat paths, ideal for hiking, cycling, and wildlife observation.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.4
(1052)
7,210
hikers
Ilvericher Altrheinschlinge is a flat nature reserve near Meerbusch, offering diverse routes for hiking, jogging, and cycling through wetlands, grasslands, and forests.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.4
(1170)
6,588
hikers
Waldnaturschutzgebiet Knechtsteden is an expansive forest nature reserve in North Rhine-Westphalia, offering diverse landscapes and numerous routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(1186)
5,734
hikers
Isselniederung is a nature reserve in North Rhine-Westphalia featuring diverse wet meadows, woodlands, and the Issel River, offering numerous routes for cycling and hiking.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(1061)
5,563
hikers
Abgrabungsseen Lohrwardt Und Reckerfeld is a 194-hectare nature reserve featuring two former gravel lakes, woodlands, and open pastures. It offers diverse routes for hiking, jogging, and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(1469)
5,489
hikers
Nördlichertüschenwald is a nature reserve with interconnected ponds, hills, and forests, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(1126)
5,385
hikers
Dornicksche Ward is a nature reserve with diverse landscapes, offering paths and trails for cycling, gravel biking, and hiking. It features varied terrain for different activity levels.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(679)
4,659
hikers
Haffensche Landwehr is a diverse nature reserve in Rees, Germany, offering extensive wetlands, excavation lakes, and waterways for hiking and cycling routes.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.4
(1139)
4,514
hikers
Staatsforst Rheurdt/Littard is a nature reserve in the Lower Rhine region, offering tranquil mixed woodlands and lakes for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling on flat terrain.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(673)
4,445
hikers
Rheinvorland Zwischen Mehrum Und Emmelsum is a nature reserve in the Rhine floodplain with dikes and meadows, offering routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.3
(959)
4,331
hikers
Nsg Geldenberg is a nature reserve in Klever Reichswald with diverse forests and varied terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and cycling. It offers over 100 routes, including challenging climbs.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling
The Düsseldorf District contains more than 30 designated nature reserves, which are protected areas safeguarding distinctive landscapes and ecosystems. These range from Rhine floodplains like the Urdenbacher Kämpe to forested valleys and heathlands. This page aggregates over 5,000 routes for hiking, cycling, and running within these reserves.
Some of the primary nature reserves in the Düsseldorf District include Düsseldorf's largest, the Urdenbacher Kämpe, known for its floodplain landscape. Other notable reserves are the Himmelgeister Rheinbogen with its meadows along the Rhine, and the Üfter-, Rüster- Und Emmelkämper Mark, which features forests and heathlands.
The primary activities are human-powered outdoor sports. Hiking, cycling, and mountain biking are the most common, with thousands of established routes available. Many reserves also offer trails suitable for running and birdwatching, particularly in wetland and floodplain areas.
There are thousands of hiking trails across the district's nature reserves, catering to various preferences. For example, the Urdenbacher Kämpe offers 68 designated hiking routes through its floodplain environment. The Üfter-, Rüster- Und Emmelkämper Mark contains over 70 hiking trails through forests and heath.
Yes, cycling is a popular activity with many designated routes. The flat terrain of the Rhine floodplains makes areas like Bislicher Insel and Zonser Grind well-suited for road cycling and bike touring. In total, there are thousands of cycling routes available across the reserves.
Urdenbacher Kämpe is Düsseldorf's largest nature reserve and features a classic Lower Rhine floodplain landscape. It is characterized by wet meadows, alluvial forests, and pollarded willows. The area is shaped by the Rhine and its old river arms, creating a dynamic environment that experiences natural flooding.
The Himmelgeister Rheinbogen offers numerous trails for outdoor activities. There are over 50 hiking routes and dozens of cycling routes through its landscape of open meadows and woodlands along a bend in the Rhine. The flat terrain makes it a popular location for walking and leisurely bike rides.
The terrain varies depending on the reserve's location. Many reserves along the Rhine, such as Bislicher Insel and Zonser Grind, are predominantly flat floodplains ideal for easy walks and cycling. Other reserves further inland, like Rotthäuser Bachtal, feature wooded valleys with more varied elevation and winding trails.
Many nature reserves in the district have trails suitable for families and people of all fitness levels. The generally flat terrain in floodplain reserves like Urdenbacher Kämpe and Himmelgeister Rheinbogen offers accessible paths for walking and cycling. The Neanderthal valley also has well-developed paths and an Ice Age Game Reserve.
The nature reserves can be visited year-round, with each season offering a different experience. Spring brings blossoming orchards in areas like Urdenbacher Kämpe, while autumn provides rich colors in the deciduous forests. Visitors should be aware that floodplain areas can be partially inaccessible during periods of high water on the Rhine.
The administrative district of Düsseldorf (Regierungsbezirk) contains over 500 designated nature reserves. This page specifically aggregates komoot's Adventure Guides for 33 of these reserves, highlighting those with extensive trail networks for outdoor sports. The city of Düsseldorf itself contains twelve of these protected areas.

